KATHMANDU, Aug 16: The Office of the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Nepal has proposed to the government to include three electricity transmission line projects spanning a total of 300 kilometers in the list of national pride projects.
The office -- the entity for implementing US$ 500 million grant from the US government -- has corresponded to the National Planning Commission (NPC) for recognizing three transmission line projects -- Lapsiphedi-Ratmate-Damauli, Damauli-Sunwal-India border and Ratmate-Hetauda -- as national pride projects.
All these transmission lines are of 400 KVA and are being with total investment of $ 300 million.
Expedite national pride projects
Putting these projects into national priority will help the agency to implement the projects in a fast track mode.
These projects will be put into national pride projects as per the bilateral agreement signed between the governments of Nepal and the US, according to officials of Office of the Millennium Challenge Account Nepal.
The transmission lines will be one of the major electricity supply network covering major cities and major hubs of electricity production mainly of Marshyangdi River basin and Trishuli River basin as well as connecting with India with which the government has aimed to trade electricity.
The first meeting of board of directors of Millennium Challenge Account Development Board recently proposed to name these projects as national pride projects. Tulasi Sitaula, national coordinator of Office of the Millennium Challenge Account Nepal, told Republica that the proposal is still under consideration of NPC.
The government has recognized 18 projects, including Budhigandaki Hydropower Project, as national pride projects. But only a few projects like Upper Tamakoshi and Melamchi Water Supply Project have performed better.
The Office of the Millennium Challenge Account Nepal plans to invest the remaining $200 million in road upgradation projects. The financing for these projects is a compact fund and it should be completed within the time frame of 5 years without any extension.
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